Doorknob attachment



Patented Feb. 26, 1952 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in door knob attachments and more particularly in a device that may be easily and quickly mounted around a latch operating member, such as a conventional door knob, to prevent its manipulation by a small child.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive attachment to be mounted on a door knob to guard against rotation of the knob and actuation of the latch associated therewith by small children without interfering with or preventing actuation of the latch mechanism by older persons.

Another object is to provide a guard of the character referred to which is not expensive to manufacture, may be easily and quickly installed, and which is very effective.

Another object is to provide an attachment of the character referred to with novel means to detachably secure the parts thereof assembled on a door knob.

Other and further objects of the present invention subsequently will become apparent by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

On the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a latch operating member showing the novel attachment mounted thereon and partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the attachment mounted upon a door knob.

The device of the present invention as shown in the accompanying drawing comprises a shell generally indicated at H fabricated from shaperetaining sheet stock, preferably plastic or metal.

The shell is formed from two substantially like halves I2 and I3. each of which is in the form of a semi-cylindrical or dished ring. The dished ring I3 has its outer peripheral edge in abutment with the outer peripheral edge of the dished ring l2 when the parts are in assembled relation. They are secured together for ready detachment, preferably by providing a slot [4 in the dished ring 13 to receive a tongue l5 extending from the abutting peripheral edge of the dished ring 12. If desired, two or more such slot and tongue securing means may be provided.

The shell is adapted to be assembled over a latch operating member which, in the present instance, consists of a door knob [6. The shell H has internal dimensions slightly greater than the overall dimensions of the knob l6 so as to be freely rotatable relative o the knob. The opposed faces I! and I8 of the knob 16 are left uncovered when the device is mounted thereon.

It should be quite obvious that any attempt made to actuate the latch operating member, as by rotation of the knob [6, by the conventional method of embracing the shell H within the hand, will result merely in rotation of the shell l l. The latch operating member of knob I6 is not actuated by such rotation. The attachment, therefore, is especially useful as a means for preventing small children from grasping the latch operating member and actuating the latch.

In instances when operation of the latch is desired, as when the closure in which the latch operating device is mounted is to be unlatched, digital engagement of the door knob 16 can be effected in the manner best illustrated in Fig. 1. Upon referring to that disclosure, it will be observed that the opposed faces I! and I8 of the door knob iii are engaged between the tips of one or more fingers and the thumb of the operators hand. Upon the application of slight squeezing pressure, the knob 16 is firmly engaged between the finger tips and may be rotated to actuate the latch.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been shown in the accompanying drawing and described in detail in the foregoing specification, it should be understood that the invention may embody a wide variety of modifications in size, shape and detail construction, to accommodate latch operating members of various sizes and shapes, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cover for a door knob comprising joined shape-retaining members adapted to overlie the peripheral edge of the door knob and extend inwardly radially to overlie the peripheral margins thereof, said cover being freely rotatable about said knob whereby the cover and knob may be rotated independently of each other, said cover comprising a pair of rings having cooperating slots and tongues for securing said rings together.

2. In combination, a door knob, and a shaperetaining shell loosely fitted over said door knob, said shell having an open axial area so as to expose the axial area of each face of said knob and comprising a pair of rings having cooperating tongues and slots securing said rings toether. a

3. An attachment of the character described comprising a shell including substantially like shape-retaining semi-cylindrical rings adapted to embrace the peripheral margin only of a latch operating member, said shell being of a size to permit it to rotate freely about the latch operating member, one of said rings having slots adjacent one edge and the other of said rings having tongues on an edge engageable in said slots to secure said rings together.

4. A cover for a latch operating member having an axial extension and comprising a pair of connected together dished rings arranged over and substantially surrounding said member, one of said rings having an inwardly and outwardly projecting tongue whose inner face normally slidably engages the annular face of said latch operating member to maintain said member 4 spaced from said rings, said rings covering the peripheral margin of said latch operating mem ber and said rings being of such size as to leave exposed a circular area of each face of the member whereby said member be digitally engaged for selective manipulation.

EDWARD W. BROSCOE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Herdman et a1 May 8, 1928 

